Oklahoma State University Athletics
Oklahoma State Football 1997 Spring Outlook
April 07, 2003 | Cowboy Football
1996 Record: 5-6 Conference: 2-5 Lettermen Lost: 13 (Offense 6, Defense 7) Starters Lost: 9 (Offense 3, Defense 6) Lettermen Returning: 37 (Offense 17, Defense 17, Specialists 3) Starters Returning: 17 (Offense 9, Defense 6, Specialists 2)
Returning Starters Offense Defense Specialists Willie Grissom, WR Denshio Cook, DT Jason Davis, P Josh Henson, LG Brandon Ashley, DE Tim Sydnes, PK Tom Lavigne, C Raymond Cato, ILB Jeremy Offutt, RG Kenyatta Wright, OLB Calvin Menephee, RT R. W. McQuarters, FS Alonzo Mayes, TE J. B. Flowers, RC Terrance Richardson, WR Brian Aikins, FB Others Returning who started at least four games in 1996 Offense Defense Adam Davis, LG Andrel Waddle, OLB George Arceo, RG Alvin Porter, RC Jack Golden, TE** Kevin Kemp, DL*** **moved to defense ***moved to offense
Oklahoma State Football 1997 Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Bob Simmons (Bowling Green, 1971)
Offensive Staff Coordinator: Les Miles (Michigan, 1976), third season at Oklahoma State Quarterbacks: Ron Calcagni (Arkansas, 1980), second season at Oklahoma State Tight Ends: Tommy Kaiser (Houston, 1974), fourth season at Oklahoma State Running backs: Tom Lavigne (Grambling, 1975), third season at Oklahoma State Receivers: Richard Wilson (Arkansas, 1981) third season at Oklahoma State
Defensive Staff Coordinator/Pass: Johnny Burnett (UC Santa Barbara, 1970) second season at OSU Coordinator/Run: Rob Ryan (SW Oklahoma, 1987), first season at Oklahoma State Outside Linebackers: Brent Guy (Oklahoma State, 1983), sixth season at OSU Defensive Line: Calvin Miller (Oklahoma State, 1976), fifth season at OSU Strength and Conditioning: TBA
Oklahoma State Football 1997 Players to Watch
Alonzo Mayes, Tight End 6-5, 285, Senior Oklahoma City (Douglas)
Emerged as the best tight end in the Big 12 Conference last season and is a bonafide All American candidate ahead of the 1997 season. He gives Oklahoma State one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the country with great size, tremendous hands and outstanding blocking ability. He turned down an opportunity to pursue the NFL a year early to complete his eligibility at Oklahoma State. His numbers in 1996 were simply outstanding. In 10 games he caught 30 passes for 512 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 17.1 yards per reception and had a long gain of 53 yards. He had three games with 50 or more receiving yards, including a career-best 149 yards on six receptions against Missouri at Columbia. His 1996 efforts did not go unnoticed. He was consensus first team All-Big 12.
Mayes' Career Year Rec Yards TD APR 1994 1 15 1 15.0 1995 32 421 4 13.1 1996 30 512 3 17.1 Totals 63 948 8 15.0
Andre Richardson, Tailback 5-8, 190, Senior Dallas (Carter)
The 1994 Freshman of the Year in the Big Eight Conference has spent the last two seasons watching David Thompson rush for more than 3,000 yards. This season it is Richardson's turn to step into the spotlight at the tradition-rich tailback position at Oklahoma State. Despite playing a predominant backup role to Thompson the last two seasons, Richardson will go into the 1997 season needing just 74 yards to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark for his Oklahoma State career. Last season he played in all 11 regular season games and finished with 447 yards on 89 carries. He scored three touchdowns and averaged 5.0 yards per rush. He enjoyed his career-best performance last season against Iowa State when he rushed for 173 yards on 21 carries and scored two touchdowns against the Cyclones.
Richardson's OSU Career Year Att Yards TD APR APG 1994 121 774 2 6.4 70.4 1995 115 705 4 6.1 64.1 1996 89 447 3 5.0 40.6 Totals 325 1926 9 5.9 58.3
R.W. McQuarters, Free Safety 6-0, 190, Junior Tulsa (Booker T. Washington)
One of the most talented and versatile athletes in the Big 12 Conference. He made his OSU debut in the season opener of the 1995 season by starting against eventual national champion Nebraska on national television. Two years later, he is ready for his junior season as one of the premier defensive backs in the country and possibly the most dangerous kick returner in the NCAA. Last season, he started the first seven games of the year before suffering a broken leg late in the Iowa State game on Lewis Field. That injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He is nearly 100 percent during spring drills and the '96 injury should be no factor in '97. Despite missing the last four games of the season a year ago, McQuarters was fourth on the team in total tackles (64) and the co-leader in interceptions with two. He has been all-conference after each of his first two collegiate seasons and has also lettered for Oklahoma State in basketball.
McQuarters' OSU Career Tackles Kickoff Returns Year UT-AT=Total Int No. Yards APR 1995 35-27=62 3 27 645 23.9 1996 32-32=64 2 15 331 22.1 Totals 67-59=126 5 42 976 23.2
Raymond Cato, Linebacker 6-2, 220, Sophomore (RS) Midwest City, Oklahoma
One of the rising young stars on the Cowboy defense. Cato came into his own a year ago by leading the Pokes in two defensive categories, including total tackles and tackles for loss. For the season, he registered 119 tackles, including 37 solo stops and 82 assists. Included in his unassisted tackles were 13 for minus 39 yards. In addition, he had two sacks for minus 18 yards, recovered one fu mble, had one pass interception and three passes broken up. He was the subject of a position switch a year ago that has paid off. He moved from the secondary to linebacker ahead of spring drills a year ago and wound up starting all 11 games last year at that spot. He was an honorable mention All Big 12 selection last season and should be in line for even more honors in 1997.
Cato's OSU Career Year UT-AT=Total For Loss Sacks Int PBU FR 1996 37-82=119 13-39 2-18 1 3 1
Jason Davis, Punter 6-0, 215, Senior Kerrville, Texas
Preseason All-Big 12 candidate after equaling the fourth-best single-season punting effort in Oklahoma State history. The transfer from Blinn Junior College in Texas registered an average of 44.0 yards on 59 punts. That equaled Greg Ivy's 1995 average and tied him for fourth on the single-season list. That average was good enough for 18th in the NCAA but only fifth in the Big 12 Conference, which boasted six of the top 30 punters in the country and five with averages of 44 yards per boot or better.
Davis' OSU Career Year No. Yards Avg Long 1996 59 2598 44.0 82
Tim Sydnes, Kicker 6-2, 180, Sophomore Oklahoma City (Putnam City West)
In his initial season as Oklahoma State's kicker, he was second to only David Thompson is the scoring category with 63 total points. He missed only one extra point on the season (27 of 28) and was 12 of 19 in the field goal category with a long of 55 yards. Had three successful field goals in Lewis Field win over Tulsa and turned in two other multiple field goal games (Colorado and Texas A&M).
Sydnes' OSU Career Year PAT Field Goals Long Points 1996 27-28 12-19 55 63 Sydnes' Field Goal Breakdown FGM-FGA Pct. 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 59-99 12-19 .632 0-0 5-5 3-7 3-6 1-1
Kenyatta Wright, LB 6-2, 225, Sophomore Vian, Oklahoma
Another youngster who turned in an outstanding freshman season at OSU. He won a starting job at inside linebacker and started the last six games of the year. His seasons statistics were significant. He tied for second in total tackles with 72 and had four for minus yardage. He is certainly capable of turning in an all-star season in 1997.
Wright's OSU Career Year UT-AT=Total For Loss Sacks PBU FR 1996 11-61=72 4-12 1-6 3 2
